The wars fought in Afghanistan and Iraq since 9/11 have shown the need for a cartridge more effective than the standard 5.56mm NATO round. Military planners wanted a .30-caliber bullet similar to the Soviet 7.62x39mm AK-47 cartridge with the same or better performance. The challenge was to design a cartridge that would be more effective at greater distances and defeat barricades more efficiently, minimize the effects of crosswinds over longer ranges and feed 30 rounds from a standard AR magazine. The tactical demands of battle also required a cartridge that could be loaded to subsonic velocities yet still function reliably and accurately in short-barreled rifles with suppressors.

Developed by Advanced Armament Corporation (AAC), the 300 AAC Blackout, or 300 BLK, can be fired from a standard 5.56mm AR simply by changing out the barrel. The dimensions of the 300 BLK cartridge are the same as the .300 Whisper, which preceded it. The difference is that the 300 BLK was approved by SAAMI.

Here are some of the latest 300 BLK rifles available today.

Lewis Machine & Tool CQB105-300

Lewis Machine & Tool CQB105-300

Based in Milan, Ill., Lewis Machine & Tool (LMT) started producing high-grade firearms for the U.S. military, law enforcement and government agencies in 1980 and has since expanded into the American civilian market as well as British military units. The CQB105-300 shown above offers a 10.5-inch, chrome-lined barrel chambered for the .300 Whisper, rock-solid iron sights and a collapsible SOPMOD stock. The 16-inch-barelled variant (CQB 16-300) has an MSRP of $2,100.15. (lmtdefense.com; 309-787-7151)

AAC MPW

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14 Top 300 AAC Blackout ModelsAAC MPW

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14 Top 300 AAC Blackout ModelsAAC MPW

The MPW is a short-barreled rifle that is also available with a 16-inch barrel for customers who choose not to file the additional NFA paperwork. A Geissele trigger and Magpul’s stock and pistol grip are standard.

The 1-in-7-inch-twist barrel is nitride-coated for extreme corrosion resistance, which leads to a longer barrel life. The MPW also comes with a free-floating Knight’s Armament URX 3.1 Rail forend with short Picatinny rails for mounting accessories. (advanced-armament.com; 770-925-9988)

AAC Handi-Rifle

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14 Top 300 AAC Blackout ModelsAAC Handi-Rifle

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14 Top 300 AAC Blackout ModelsAAC Handi-Rifle

The Handi-Rifle is manufactured for AAC by Harrington & Richardson. The muzzle is threaded to accept a suppressor.

There are only two controls on this simple but rugged break-action rifle: the trigger and the lever to open up the action for loading and extraction. There is also an internal transfer bar safety in place of a manual safety system. (advanced-armament.com; 770-925-9988)

AAC Model Seven

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14 Top 300 AAC Blackout ModelsAAC Model Seven

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14 Top 300 AAC Blackout ModelsAAC Model Seven

The bolt action of the Model Seven is a shorter version of the Remington 700 action, and it’s built for AAC by Remington to AAC’s specifications. The rifle is a short, lightweight design intended for some serious field expeditions as well as target shooting. It features an X-Mark Pro trigger set at 3.5 pounds. (advanced-armament.com; 770-925-9988)

Bushmaster AAC 300 Blackout

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14 Top 300 AAC Blackout ModelsBushmaster AAC 300 Blackout

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14 Top 300 AAC Blackout ModelsBushmaster AAC 300 Blackout

This flattop AR features a 4150 chrome-moly steel barrel with a nitrite-coated bore and chamber. The muzzle features 5/8×24 threading for muzzle devices, including sound suppressors. An AAC Blackout flash suppressor is included. (bushmaster.com: 800-883-6229)

Daniel Defense DDM4ISR 300

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14 Top 300 AAC Blackout ModelsDaniel Defense DDM4ISR 300

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14 Top 300 AAC Blackout ModelsDaniel Defense DDM4ISR 300

The DDM4ISR 300 has a suppressor permanently attached to its 10.3-inch barrel, which means that, according to NFA regulations, it only requires one tax stamp for the entire weapon.

The barrel has a 1-in-8-inch twist rate, and the upper and lower receivers are CNC-machined from 7075-T6 aluminum and given a Type III hardcoat anodizing. (danieldefense.com; 866-554-4867)

DPMS RFA3-300SR

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14 Top 300 AAC Blackout ModelsDPMS RFA3-300SR

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14 Top 300 AAC Blackout ModelsDPMS RFA3-300SR

For gun owners who want to shoot quietly, DPMS offers a flattop AR-15 with an AAC Blackout suppressor adapter. The DPMS RFA3-300SR is the company’s entry into the 300 Blackout market, and it features the M111 modular free-floating handguard, which can easily be adapted with Picatinny rails for mounting accessories. (dpmsinc.com; 800-578-3767)

DS Arms ZM4

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14 Top 300 AAC Blackout ModelsDS Arms ZM4

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14 Top 300 AAC Blackout ModelsDS Arms ZM4

DS Arms has long been known for making high-quality FAL-style rifles, but the company also manufactures a line of AR-15s, known as the ZM4 series. The latest ZM4 offering, chambered in 300 Blackout, features a 1-in-8-inch-twist barrel with an M4 contour as well as an A3-style flattop receiver. Stainless and matte black barrels are available. (dsarms.com; 847-277-7258)

Remington 700 SPS Tactical AAC-SD

Remington 700 SPS Tactical AAC-SD

Remington’s Model 700 bolt-action rifle has been successfully used by military and police snipers as well as countless civilian competition shooters and hunters for decades.

The latest offering is the SPS Tactical AAC-SD in 300 Blackout. It features a heavy-contour barrel threaded for a suppressor. (remington.com; 800-243-9700)

Smith & Wesson M&P15 .300 Whisper

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14 Top 300 AAC Blackout ModelsSmith & Wesson M&P15 .300 Whisper

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14 Top 300 AAC Blackout ModelsSmith & Wesson M&P15 .300 Whisper

Smith & Wesson has been making firearms in America since 1852. The company’s line of M&P firearms now includes an AR-15 (the M&P15) chambered for the 300 AAC Blackout cartridge. The rifle comes with a flattop receiver ready to mount the shooter’s choice of optics, and it ships with one Magpul PMAG magazine. Black and Realtree APG versions are available. (smith-wesson.com; 800-331-0852)

Stag Arms 300 BLK Uppers

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14 Top 300 AAC Blackout ModelsStag Arms 300 BLK Uppers

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14 Top 300 AAC Blackout ModelsStag Arms 300 BLK Uppers

Stag Arms entered the 300 Blackout market in 2014 with left- and right-handed Models 1, 2, 2T and 3 (M3 shown) upper assemblies that are compatible with standard AR-15 lower assemblies. Customers can specify their configurations and accessories. The 300 BLK barrels are manufactured from 4140 steel and have a 1-in-7-inch twist rate. (stagarms.com; 860-229-9994)

Wilson Combat Recon Tactical

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14 Top 300 AAC Blackout ModelsWilson Combat Recon Tactical

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14 Top 300 AAC Blackout ModelsWilson Combat Recon Tactical

An industry leader in tactical firearms, Wilson Combat offers this AR-15 with a stainless, match-grade barrel with either a 1-in-7- or a 1-in-8-inch twist rate.

Billet (shown) and forged upper and lower receivers are available, and they are given Wilson’s Armor-Tuff finish. Internally, the bolt and bolt carrier are NP3 coated and magnetic-particle (MP) inspected. (wilsoncombat.com; 800 955-4856)

YHM Specter Black Diamond

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14 Top 300 AAC Blackout ModelsYHM Specter Black Diamond

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14 Top 300 AAC Blackout ModelsYHM Specter Black Diamond

Yankee Hill Machine (YHM) is one of the longest-running, high-quality manufacturers of the AR platform. The Black Diamond line of AR-platform rifles has been the company’s mainstay. In 300 Blackout, the Specter Black Diamond Carbide AR, officially the YHM-8810-300, has a 1-in-8-inch-twist barrel that is threaded for various muzzle brakes and flash suppressors. The barrel is also fluted for strength while reducing weight. (yhm.net; 877-892-6533)

AAC Krinkov

AAC Krinkov

Another candidate for the 300 Blackout might be the Kalashnikov platform. TW learned that AAC was exploring the possibility of a Krinkov-style rifle and commissioned gunsmith Troy Sellars to build a proof-of-concept prototype. As it turned out, the prototype, based on an Arsenal SLR-106U, proved to costly to manufacture for retail sale due to limited parts availability.

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